Everton's wantaway forward Anthony Gordon missed training for a second day running with the club's owners now feeling that the 21-year-old's head has been turned by the prospect of a move to Newcastle United.
Gordon missed Tuesday's training but that was a pre-agreed absence - but like yesterday, Everton chiefs have not defended the Merseyside star's lack of attendance on Thursday morning. Gordon was expected to train with his team-mates at Finch Farm but was a no show.
Barracked by his own supporters after the recent 2-1 defeat at home to Southampton, Gordon's representatives are working an exit plan that they hope can lead to a switch to Newcastle. Yet there is still work to be done when it comes to his transfer fee.
READ MORE: Newcastle make Saint-Maximin stance clear as Howe praises AC Milan 'target'
Newcastle and Eddie Howe are not believed to have any issues with the player's personal terms with a similar package to the one that was discussed last summer in the pipeline. After interest in Gordon last summer, along with Chelsea, Newcastle have gone back in for the talented young player.
Chronicle Live understands that Everton chiefs were aware that interest from Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and United had unsettled the forward last summer but got the player focused again for the first half of the campaign. This time though Everton fear that the player has made up his mind on leaving and the increase in intensity on talks and power plays from his representatives will result in his sale.
Newcastle do not believe that Gordon is worth £60million and want a better deal but the player is contracted until 2025. He last signed a new deal in 2020 but his status as a first-team regular meant there was talk of a new contract anyway at Goodison - or at least until United cranked up their interest.
Everton had hung their hat on Gordon being part of the future and he was used as the poster boy at Goodison Park with his face emblazoned across the club shop in the city centre. However, their sink to the relegation zone in the Premier League means he could join former stars like Wayne Rooney, John Stones and Ross Barkley as famous names that have left for pastures new.
Meanwhile, the Italian media have increased their coverage of AC Milan's pursuit of Allan Saint-Maximin. But Sky Sport Italia say Newcastle have demanded at least €30million for his services.
For all that, sources back on Tyneside say that Saint-Maximin will not be sold this window as they need him for their double push for glory in the League Cup and Premier League.
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